NBA Game Summary - Memphis at Portland

03.13.2005

Portland, OR (Basketball News) - Shareef Abdur-Rahim had 25 points on 9-of-19 shooting and grabbed 10 rebounds, as the Portland Trail Blazers downed the Memphis Grizzlies, 80-66, in the first of a home-and-home series.

"The young guys played well," said Abdur-Rahim. "They got us off to a nice start. I struggled in the first half. Its really good for them (the young guys) to know that they are playing a lot and going with them a lot so that they can feel the success of winning and not just get beat up on a lot."

Richie Frahm added 14 points, while Joel Przybilla and Theo Ratliff each had a dozen for the Blazers, who ended a six-game skid with the victory. The Grizzlies still lead the season series, which concludes Monday, 2-1.

Lorenzen Wright had 21 points to pace Memphis. Shane Battier and Brian Cardinal each had 11 points for the Grizzlies, who registered a season-low in points.

The Blazers blew the game open in the third quarter. Portland used a 26-5 run to turn a 45-42 deficit into a 68-50 lead, and cruised thereafter.

Memphis shot just 37 percent from the field, lowlighted by a 3-for-11 effort by Mike Miller. The Grizzlies also turned it over 17 times.

Memphis scored just 17 points in the first quarter but still took a six-point lead into the second quarter. Portland found its offense in the second and outscored Memphis 29-18 to take a 40-35 lead into the intermission.

Memphis guard Jayson Williams sprained his right ankle in the first half and did not return...His backup, Earl Watson, lost a tooth when he collided with Portland’s Sebastian Telfair, who suffered a cut on his forehead as a result. Watson did not return...Darius Miles tied a career high in assists with eight for Portland...The Blazers placed guard Nick Van Exel on the injured list with an arthritic knee.

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